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A common European duck (Aythya ferina); -- called also goldhead, poker, and fresh-water, or red-headed, widgeon.

The poke (Phytolacca decandra); -- called also pocan bush.

To poke; to push; also, to disturb; to confuse; to bother. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

tion from the Sanskrit, which was used as a literary and learned language when no longer spoken by the people. Pali is one of the Prakrit dialects.

Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks. This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. Shak. Heaven's high behest no preface needs. Milton.

h or call, within certain contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. John xiv. 25.

lace before; proceed, to go before or forward; project, to throw forward; prologue, part spoken before (the main piece); propel, prognathous; provide, to look out for; pronoun, a word instead of a noun; proconsul, a person acting in place of a consul; proportion, arrangement according to parts.

To poke; to thrust. [Obs.] Holland.

ively particular in detail; -- rarely used except with reference to discourse written or spoken; as, a prolix oration; a prolix poem; a prolix sermon. With wig prolix, down flowing to his waist. Cowper.

performance; as, the prologue of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales;" esp., a discourse or poem spoken before a dramatic performance

One who reminds another, as an actor or an orator, of the words to be spoken next; specifically, one employed for this purpose in a theater.

An interpreter; a spokesman. [R.] Ex. vii. 1.

A figure by which things are represented as persons, or by which things inanimate are spoken of as animated beings; also, a figure by which an absent person is introduced as speaking, or a deceased person is represented as alive and present. It includes personification, but is more extensive in its signification.…

ed; affectedly severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners. A formal lecture, spoke with prudish face. Garrick.

To thrust against; to poke; as, to punch one with the end of a stick or the elbow.

Said; spoke; uttered; -- used only in the first and third persons in the past tenses, and always followed by its nominative, the word or words said being the object; as, quoth I. quoth he. "Let me not live, quoth he." Shak.

of a certain type (the radial type) having several cylinders arranged radially like the spokes of a complete wheel. The semiradial engine has radiating cylinders on only one side of the crank shaft.

epeat. That with reiterated crimes he might Heap on himself damnation. Milton. You never spoke what did become you less Than this; which to reiterate were sin. Shak.

se; as, to report a servant to his employer. To be reported, or To be reported of, to be spoken of; to be mentioned, whether favorably or unfavorably. Acts xvi. 2. -- To report one's self, to betake one's self, as to a superior or one to whom service is due, and be in readiness to receive orders or do service.…

; hence, an edict or decree. In their rescripts and other ordinances, the Roman emperors spoke in the plural number. Hare.